Machine for filling the bottoms of shoes.



A.` THOMA. MACHINE POP FILLING THE BOTTOMS OP SHOES.

APPLICATION FILED APR.2,1912.

1,1 1 3,381'. Patented 001.13, 1914.

Wing/MW Mh J @9552 loV yof Massachusetts, have invented an plastic, tough,

-for the given sho UNITED' STATES. PATENT OFFICE.

.ANDREW THOMA, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS,ASSIGNOR TO NORTH.AMERICAN CHEMICAL COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.. A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

MACHINE FOR IIILLING TIjI-E BOTTOMS O F SHOES.

Lin-assi.

Original application filed January 3, 1907, Serial Specification of Letters Patent.

No. 350,588. Divided 'and this application led April 2,

Patented oct. v13,- 1914.

1912. serial No.- 688,114.'

To all whom t may conc-'ern Be it known that I, ANDREW THoMAg-a citizenof the United States, and resident of Cambridge, county of Middlesex, and StI'ate mprovement in Machines for Filling the Bottoms of Shoes, of which the following description, in connection vwith the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

This application is a division of my application Ser. No. 350,588, filed January 3, 1907, and is av power machine for'iilling the bottoms of shoes with shoe filler, being specially adapted to the normally semielasticiiller such as' is disclosed 1n my Patent No. 832,002, of September 25, 1906, although not restricted thereto. `The; most common means ot -ap -plying the said patentedv filler to shoe'bottoms is that shown in U. S. Patent No.

808,227 of December 26, 1905, which requires,

that the filler shall'be heated in'orderto renderit sluggishly flowing or plastic and then the operator lifts small portionswith a spatula or knife, one hand being required for' handling the latter while the other manipulates the shoe.

My present invention aims to do away with these objectionable features, leaving the operator at liberty to use lboth hands in supporting and manipulating the shoe, and also, preferably doing away with the disagreeable presence of heat, and at the same time aiording means for filling shoes with farv greater speed than is possible by the semi-hand method above referred to.

In c arrying out my invetnion when used in connection with the above specilied'patented yfiller, I preferably providel mixers which serve tol prepare Athe filler, material 4in a preliminaryy way, and a forcedy feed `(which when used in connection with said preferred kind of filler'A acts also as a fricl tion heating device to render the filler plastic without the presence ofextraneoussteam pipes or other heating means), and a cooperating .gate and controlling device located in the outlet or 'nozzle of the machine, under the control of the operator, for cooperating with the forcing mechanism toV l compel the instant delivery of the iller un der'- pressure in exactly the amount required bottom in the hands of the operator. Also 'adjacent the delivery opening I provide a presser or packing tool whlch operates to pack, spread and level the filler'in the shoe cavity sol that it is properly embedded therein 'under suitable pressure.

The type of filler mentioned is of a coarse granularnature, usually containing chunks or small angular pieces of ground or chopped cork which are normally stuck solidly together with a cementitious binder, and when softened by heat for the pur ose' of being laid or deposited in layer-like orm in the shoe-bottom cavity, the filler requires to 'be compacted and' unified or reunited and stuck together compactly, but, because of the angular vchunks -of cork' and the eX- tremely sticky character of thev binder, the

laying-tool tends to roll .the cork granules One important feature 'of my "invention out of position .and become smearedwith the y binder so as to' be liable to drag theller therefore resides in providing means l forv preventing this .dislodgment of the filler Y and for insuring this unifying, packing, con-l densing, and sticking-together process.

.have succeeded in adapting the Kironing principle or smoothing and leveling tool to this end, and my -invention in this particular resides, not in the molding tool per se, but in providing suoli a tool with. ashort jog-l ging and rapidly reciprocating movement, 1n connectionl with means for rendering it unattractive to the filler, as by smearing itssurface `with a soapy solution.

A further fea-ture of my invention which is also essential to this chunky, peculiar-for special sticky filler, isv based "upon my dis y covery that, notwithstanding .the slow, Vset character of theliller whereby itbecomes eX- ceedingly diiicult. to get it started into proper movement when onceco'mpacted' and permitted -to 'stop and set, this samev sluggish filler, if kept in continuous motion, can

be discharged at any time instantly through the delivery orifice,-because it will be understood that for practical purposes in filling shoes ern shoe factories, the filler must be under such control that it can be instantly vdelivered. into the shoe when the shoe is presented, and instantly stopped when the proper amount has been deposited the at high speed, as required inmodwhich I have illustrated one embodiment 'of provide preliminary means for mixing'or shoe. Accordingly, this lfeature of my-invention resides in providing, in connection with .theA 4continuous forward-feeding and forcing means, such mechanism or construction as will permit and produce a flow of this chunky, granular, dough-like,` sticky Eller-mass at all times, whether the filler is being discharged lat the delivery orifice or not. This feature is essential to the success of the machine, and I regard it as the-most important feature of my invention and as radically" new as a means whichy makes it possible to handle this stiff, sticky,'chunky dough with `practicable Speed. Under some conditions and especiall with other fillers (the oldV rubber-cement v dier, for instance),

vention will be more fully understood from the following description, taken in'^connec.

tion with the accompanying drawings, in

the invention. l t In the drawings, Figure 1 1s a centralV vertical sectional View of my preferred machine; and Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional detail of the 'filler delivering device.

whose hollow "inside constitutes' a filler chamber (.or contaii'ierl for; handling the filler) containing an. upper ller receptacle 2,

a somewhat ,narrowed filler receiving cham- Y ber orreselvoir 3, and a filler feed chamber 4a terminating in a ller delivery passage or discharge end or nozzle having a delivery orifice. 'Inl the feed chamber, and preferably directed tow'ard said nozzle and,- terminating adjacent theretoI provide means' v for forcing the filler forward, and as hereinl -shown in the more lcomplete l`embodiment Aof the machine, I mount additional means for' creating considerable friction with relation to'the ller material, and also I preferably disintegrating'the filler thereby supplementing the friction action and the forced' feeding movement in getting the .filler into proper plastic condition, without the use of steam or yextraneous heat, for being deposit-v ed in a shoe'bottom cavity. Preferably the mixing andl grinding or vdisinte'grating del vice and the lfriction producing mechanism are separate although coperating, the disintegrating and mixing device being herein indicated at 6. Beneath this is the forced feed device shown as a worm or conical Forsimplicity of presentation and clea'r.- ness of understandimgy I have shown .th'e body of the machine asaV single casting 1 -all the crevices o-f the shoe bottom.

fluted shaft 7 which screws'thematerial forward with considerable resistance and yet is so shaped that it permits more or less slipping of the material, thereby increasing the frictional actionl on which vI depend to-a considerable extent for iluidifying the'filler composition (when my invention is carried ont without the aid of extraneous heatexcept possibly to heat the machine at" the beginning, or to'hasten'the fiuxing or melting of the filler at the start.)

V The disintegrator or mixer" 6 has 'clawmembers lor knives 8 and deiector blades 9,

in the machine of the drawings,'which engage a body 10 of the filler' material in the hopper or receptacle 2, lalthough any other form of device may be employed within my invention' for tearing apart andclawing off the filler loaf or body 10 andI thenl commingling and mixing or agitating the fragments,the purpose being to bring about a nely divided and thoroughlyv mixed coindition ofthe iiller so that Vit will be` to a large extent, in condition for application to vvthe shoe bottom. As herein lshown, the

shaft of the friction feed device Tis providedwith fast and loose power pulleys 12,

13 and a driving geary 14 meshing with -aA pinion 15 on ,the shaft 16 of the disintegrator and mixer. At the oppsite end of the latter shaft I provide a spur gear 17 meshing with a smaller pinion 18 on a shaft 19 provided with a cam wheel 20 Vfor rapidly reciprocating a link 21 extending centrally` from 'a transverse shaft 22, at .whose opposite ends are swing rods 23 (only one being herein shown),pivoted at 24 respectively at theopposite sides of the machine andv supporting at their lower endsa laying 'or packing (and spreading. device 2 5 for compacting and unifyingV and sticking together compactly .the granular' filler ,intonsheetlike or leaf-like form and leveling vdown or smoothing or pressing the filler firmly laying device 25 performs the same func- L tions as the superheating roll of the above mentioned Patent No, 808,227 excepting that itaccomplishes my purpose 'withont'heaa does not rotate, and smooths or levels down` the filler more'quickly and'accurately, due

to its'extremely rapidshort bacl-,and-'forth movement.'v The back-andfforth movement is so rapid that the succession of sh'ort smoothing packing motions causes the filler.

to be laid or smoothed andfpressed vdown `flat into the shoe-bottom almost perfectly,

as the shoe is v simply drawn back from the machine in contact with said laying device.

While' the-latter may be prevented from sticking l0 thefiller by heatl if desired, or l by any othen means,' I prefer to accomplish the purpose\by maintaining the engaging' side thereof coated with a thin film of repellent liquid, suchjas oil=or soapy water.

.y nits-,aaa a thin jelly-'like consistency capable of jarring or oozing through, perforationslQS provided for the purpose in the'bottom of the pocket 26,v so thatl as the soapy water or other rei pellent substancel oozes or drops through the the holes of the plate.

openings 28, it is scraped or out off by the` adjacent edge of the rapidly moving laying ,device 'Q5 insufficientquantity to maintain the under side thereof constantly coated or lubricated with this repellent material.- This effectually prevents the filler from' sticking to the device 25 Without interfering with the effective laying function of the latter'.

VThis unifying or laying and packing and spreading device Q5 is preferably mounted in a recess or upward jogof the casting so that its lower surface is slightly-below the level of the orifice or discharge opening or mouth in which the valvel works, so that the adjacent bottom surface of the casting constitutes means tending to direct the forward movement of the shoe-bottom, as the latter is pulled forward by the operator, into engagement with the reciprocating Vdevice 25, said directing means also tending to limit the shoe-bottom to such a movement andv ,the operator .has both 0f his-hands -left free tonianage the shoe, and, when desired, to enable the operator to press the shoe forcibly with both hands against the member 25 for leveling and packing the filler into the cavity of the shoe-bottom. This freedom of movement and operation on the part'of the operator will be pointed out more at length hereinafter. As-'the subdivided filler material is forced forward by the feed screw 7 toward the delivery end 5, it is preferably compelled to pass through a coa-rse screen or subdividing plate Q9 for rendering the filler still more plastic fand free flowing by the friction of the filler inv passing through If the filler is not being deposited in a slice at the moment, it passes thence through a channel 30 back to the rearveid of the feed chamber, the idea being to keep the iller'in' motionand prevent its setting and clogging as already explained. This is' the most important feature of my invention, and I intend 4to cover the same herein generically as'the means which renders it possible to handle this "coarse, chunky, stiff, sticky filler with '.speed. In

'fact without providing for the continuous movement, of-the filler irrespective,-l of or' feeding device'after each shoe-filling op eration, and there is then eXtreme liability of bursting, the machinewhen the screw isv started again for filling the next shoe. This but the tenacious,igu'mn'iy, chunky nature of the filler renders it entirely impracticable to handle filler by continually ,starting and stopping tliefeeding screw. Even when used with heat (forv rendering. the filler iiuid) it isiinpracticable to use thescrew would not' only make the operation slow.

alone, but I have found that all the diniculties disappear by simply providing either an auxiliarypassage or channel such as 30,. 'or other adjacent cavity or; space for the deflection and return of the iiller in a con-4 tinuous How, and then keeping the screw turning all the time. -Besides the sticky,

feeding direction, and the adjacent provision for the return flow of the filler,l I have discovered that this cork filler'can be ha'ndled perfectly. `I makethis explanation in order that my invention may not be restricted to the-passage 30 'per se but may be understood to include-provision of any Akind whereby the forwardly pressed or fed liller may be enabled to getback again or have a return'fiow so as' to permit the continuous movement of the filler-mass within 'the machine, whether the nozzle is closed. or open.- By this means I am sure always to get a prompt instantl d eliverywhen required, as the filler is not merely kept in proper condition by its constant movement, but it is always ready for delivery, whereas if it were permitted to stop, there would be a momentary sluggishness to overcome, due to its extremely sticky and compact nature. the mouth of the delivery end. 4I provide a regulator and filler-ejector in the form of a slide 31,'shcwn'as normally held forward in closingl posit-ion b v a spring 32' and operated by'a bell crank 33 and foot lever 34, said slide having a valve-plate or filler actuator 35, in position to close or partially close the channel 30 according as the slide is entirely opened or only partially opened. This plate 35 thus compels the instant deflection of the ,moving stream of lfiller material, so that it when the slide is opened.

In' operation a complement' .of filler material is placedv in the receptacleportion 2 of ythe machine and is automatically disintebottom cavity instantaneously and properly grated and comminuted as the parts rotate in the direction of the arrow.' As the .mass isdisintegrated and drops into the receiving chamber A'or' reservoir it is, continually churiied and mixedff Meanwhile the partially prepared filler is fed forcibly forward compact natureofA the filler, the problem isv tough,

But by combining the screw, turning continuously in the same forward- Ait.

ii-o

'of the partially softened filler through the screen or perforated diaphragm' 29 (which is not used when other heating means, such as steam, is used). The flow of the filler is continuous. whether the machine is filling vshoes or knot, and whileI kprefer to' provideI the separate'channel or passage 30 therefor it willbe understood thatv I am not restricted to having this passage thus separated from the main chamber, as-all .that is necessary, so far as the fmere'feeding of the filler is concerned, is that there shall be provide space'jor room enough to permit the filler to returnbackto the upperportion of the .filler chamber whenever'thenozzle is closed.

.'This provisionof means for permittingtlie escape of the:v ller away from the delivery i -end or' nozzle vof the -machine when said nozzle'isclosed isv essential and of the iirst importance when the lmachine is delivering i *as ii-ller of the particular kindV first mentioned, f

e. tliecliunky,stiillyv coherent, sticky cork# filler', because-:otherwise said llerwould simply pack Vharder andharder into l the nozzle :and uickly render the machine `in-- operative. o I',regard the provision of meansfor permitting the `continuous flow and movement ofthe filler as an important ,featureof the invention. This means and v the cooperating .filler-moving mechanism constitute means for transporting .the filler -in the -specialway explained. Y

When the gate or slide valve 31 is closed `the filer passes backthrough the channel 30 and so' around continuously, being always ready howevenbecause already in motion and in the proper direction and kept actively 'fluids-and preventing from setting toA fill a shoe the instant the operator is ready. Then L. ready, the' operator,- with4 ay shoe properly supported and presented,- or, as herein and "preferably provided for, firmly held in both hands, if desired, places it beneath the nozzle and then depresses the treadle rod 34, so as to open the valve slide-31 and permit a thin ribbon or flat stream' of the ffiller'to flow out 'conto-the shoe. He regulates the thiclmess' compels the filler opens the outlet-governing valve 31. The opening movement-of said gate or valve 31 simultaneously brings the valve plate or filler actuator 35.into operation so that it ilo'w downward stream to outof the nozzle instead of passing through -tinues to compel the lfiller to move This member 35 con the wayv or 4by-pass 30.

down

*under pressure into-the shoe bottom cavity 'as long as the slide valvel is heldback, l

d ing it-by extraneous heat, the speed of` my ypresent machine is likewise an in'ip'ortant feature,A as the operator soon learns to, gage but the'- instant that the latteris permitte to close the delivery opening, themember 53 opens the passage 30 and permits the -liller is .of a `granular nature chunks ofgchopped' or comminutedcork to' be-deilected around to the -upper end of the chamber 4 again. is filled, the operator permits the valve 31 to close and quickly pullstheshoetoward himself incontactwith the laying device 25,

vThe instant .the shoe;

which -smooths and compacts the filler into the shoe bottom cavity as desired'. 'This containing which, when the. filler 'is in the sluggishly flowing plastic., condition necessary for delivery to the shoe-bottomv cavity, is somewhat loosely held together by the binder, .so that itwould-not stick perxnanentlytol the shoe-bottom .cavity nor hold together in d lleailike or sheetlike layer form if left in the condition in which it is ldelivered into the cavity. To make'it 'stick to ether in proper sheet-likeor layer form an to make it adhere tenaciously tothe leatherof the bottom cavity, itis necessary .to compactit by a .relatively light pressure, and .I have -found that superior results are-secure'dfby applying this light pressure, not by one long "relatively slow sweep or movement, of lthe tool over the heap of tillen-'but by giving to the tool a jogging'or rapid. reciprocating movement of very short ampitude, -underl such conditions thatthefller isV prevented from sticking to the tool and ,alsof-from. being pushed or pulled forwa-rdby the tool.

and from being dragged out of the bottom cavity. rl`he tool25 and its operating. .I Ilechanism l have found admirably adapted'for accomplishing this' purpose. said tool 25. projects freely intojspa'ce, fthe machinel providing a free openspa'cebeneath the tool to4 enable'lthe operator freely to manipulate the shoe as required for proper leveling and packing ofthe filler therein.

It is to be borneyinmind that this process is not a molding'process primarily,i butisa packing, unifying, condensingland sticking-v together process, made necessary.: by the peculiar. character of thelfiller and its ,special4 condition at the moment of laying or placing inl the shoe-bottom cavity. `All thisy is accomplished withfgreat rapidity and ease .by

the operator. IThere is no fatigue4 in laying the filler with the laying device as the oper- Aator simply pulls the slice up against said device with both hands and then straight' forward towardh self,' the rapid backA and vforth reciprocating movement of .the laying device sticking theller compactly and con-3 .densing or reuniting. it into leafhape, while working lthe ,filler down 'compactly l'and smoothly and yet almost imperceptibl'yinto the properly laid and level position vin the shoe bottom cavity.

Besidesthe advantages already menthined of being able to use the filler without melt- I the delivery rapidly and accurately so that handle them.

fill the shoes as quickly as he can The operator not only has both hands to devote to the shoe, but is without the fatigue and delay of being obliged to select portions of the filler and he can -lift it up into the shoe from the pot as in necessary to bring about a state of highr fiuidity as a more sluggish condition is practicable because of the fact that the machine itself forces the material into a thin layer independently of the exertions of the operator, and the laying or pressing device is especially adapted to mold the filler c old.

Of course, it will be understood that various of the separate elements or features of my invention may be used with the hot process if desired, and that I am not limited in all cases to the relations of parts herein preferred, nor to the kind of filler principally referred to. The soapy solution for the reciprocating packing device is preferable, although various kinds of oily coatingsor heat may be used. A vibrating or .re-

i ciprocating filler-laying motion is of advantage, however whether the tool is hot or cold, as it materially 'saves the time and strength of the operator.

The rubbing and mixing of the integral portions of the hacked filler create a softening of the material akin to heating, but without heat, and the further subdividing and continuous flow 'through thel machine produces a smoother and nicer consistency than isfeasible with heat, eliminating all tendency of the heavier ingredients of the composition to settle by gravity at the bottom. rI'his cold process is not only beneficial to thematerial as tocuality in the respect mentioned, but it avoids the eXtreme liability of overheating and spoiling the filler eX- perienced in the previously patented method. The screw form of'feed is especially advan- Atageous as 'it is compelling to a predetermined pressure and then, for any greater. pressure, permits the filler to slip with a frictional heating effect.

lVhile I prefer for many reasons the forms of feeding mechanism, delivery mechanism, and laying or filler-packing mechanism of the drawings, I am particular to state that 1 regard my invention as broadly novel in the points mentioned, and I intend this patent to cover any and all forms of mechanical embodiments within the broad idea of means as hereinafter expressed in the claims, considered with reference to this specification. The channel 30 coperateslv'ith the screw feed to lift or pull up the filler at the top as well as to force it upward at the bottom, as the upper end of the screw or worm draws the filler in toward it from the passage way as Athe latter delivers the filler to it, and keeps this up continuously while'the adjacent portion of the filler is being forced downwardly. Other mechanisms may be provided for keeping up this constant fiow of the filler down' and. around up again, but the means shown is best adapted to the end when the frictionl softening is required. This mechanism for keeping up this -con'- tinuous flow and rotation of the filler constitutes one means of keeping the filler under continuous and `uniform pressure toward the outlet when the latter is closed.,

' so that, when the outlet valve or gate opens,

the filler will come outinstantly. As already'intimated, this instant-delivery of the filler maybe accomplished by other forms of mechanism, particularly under other-conditions' (as for instance when the present kind of filler vis'rendered fluidby extraneous heat, as distinguished 'from the friction4 heating of the preferred form of machine herein), and with other kinds of fillers, and accordingly, as already pointed out and made still more apparent in some of my claims, I do not limit the invention always to the continuous-movement and unremit.-

ting-pressure features which are neverthe. less made prominent and'constitute some of the 'most important and leading features of the invention in the'preferred embodiment of the machine of the drawings. The arrange- -ment of the screw and bottom at an inclination and with the screw approximately in contact with .i the bottom is also advantageous in facilitating the feed and the softening. Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure 'by Letters Patent is:

l. A machine for 'filling the cavity of a los shoel bottom, having, in combination, a reserlvoir for the filler, a delivery orifice, means for closing said orifice, and means for transporting filler from said reservoir to -said orishoe bottom, having, in combination, a filler chamber provided with a delivery orifice at its lower end,'said chamber and orifice cooperating to tend to deliver the filler ay gravity, a rotary feed screw forl giving the adjacent filler a continuous forward move-- nient, means cooperating therewith arranged to permit the Eller to be forced toward said Il o provided at its lower end'vvith a' deliveryA passage having ai delivery orice to tend to deliver'the filler by' gravity, means adapted to handle filler material containing chunks of granulated solid material and arranged for maintaining a continuous movement of the filler,` including la Worm screw kextending vtoward `the delivery passage for forcing the filler forward, and means coperating therewith for ldef'iecting` the'forced filler from said passage andpermitting it to flow back intotlie chamber, said means vdirecting 'said ,flowv tcvvard the top of the chamber, and a valve mechanism forcontrolling `the delivery of filler throughsaid orifice.

el. il, machine for4 'filling' the cavity of a shoe-bottom,comprising a filler chamber for mixed liller Aof a ,sluggish,` sticky, coherent nature, having a 'delivery orifice 'at its'lower end, continuously operating power means in. said loyverend-capable 'of delivering into' a' shoe-bottom, through said' orifice, .the requiredamount of Said ller, and controlling means Vfor varyingl the amount of filler so deliveredy in accordance with the requirements of a givenslioe-bottom constructed 5 and arranged to open andclose said oriice,

said continuously operating means, said controlling means, and said chamber containing provision and being constructed and arranged to maintain the aforesaid ller which o, is in thevlowerend of the chamber under vcontinuous movement and substantially uni form pressure toward said orice when lthe "latter'i's closed and also the same when partially or. fully open.

5. machine for filling the cavity of a shoe-bottom, having, in combination, a Vller chamber, devices for forcing the filler from` said chamber and for packing it into the cavity of said shoe-bottom, and means' for actuating said devices.

v6; A machine for illiiig-the cavity of a shoe-bottom, having, in combination, a filler chamber, devices -for forcing thelillerfrom said chamber and 'for packing it into the" cavity of said shoe-bottom, and means for giving the packing portion of said devices a plurality of rapid reciprocations for eachv filling iperation.

'-l. i *i machine for filling the cavity of va shoe-llttom, comprising a tiller chamber for mixed :dllerl containing resilient chunks of granular solid material stuck together With a binder, said, chamber having a delivery orifice at its lower end through 'which the yrequired amount of said filler may bedelivered to a shoe-bottoni, a unifying' and compacting memberA for vpacking and leveling said filler into ,the vbottom cavity of the shoe, and means for rapidly reciprocating said member in the direction required for said packing and leveling operation.

, l8. A machine for filling the cavity of a shoe-bottom, comprising a ller chamber for mixed filler containing resilientcliunks of granular solid material stuck together with a binder, said chamber having a delivery orifice at its lower end through which the required amount of said liller maybe. de-

liveied to a' shoe-bottom, a unifying and compacting laying device for leveling said shoe filler in the bo'ttonncavity` of a slice, and means for giving said device rapid short back-and-'forth movements for effecting said leveling of said filler.

9. ln a machine for filler, alaying device for leveling and pack-l ing the filler in the bottom-cavity of the shoe, and lubricating means for automatihandling 'shoe-bottoni SliA cally7 maintaining said device smeared with I liquid for permitting free movement ofthe shoe and hller in contact With said device, said deviceprogectnig freely 'into space and said machine having afree vopenY space beneath the device to permit the free manipu-A lation of the shoe as'required for proper levelingy and packing of the filler therein.A

10. In a machine for handling shoe-bottom iller, meansl for delivering shoefiller to vthe bottom cavity of a slice, and controlling means for regulating the 'amount ci' liller delivered, said controlling means boing um der the control of the operator indeiicndn ently of his hands and the shoe While lean ing both hands free to manage 'the shoe, and

bottoni laying means adjacent'the delivery portion of the machine;

il. ln a machine for handling shoebottoni filler, means forl delivering shoe-filler to the bottom cavity of ashoe, and controlling means for regulating the amount of filler delivered', said controlling means being under the control of the operator independently of his hands and the shoe While leaving both hands free to manage lthe shoe, and bottom laying means adjacent the delivery portion of the machine in position to permit the operator to press theshoe iwcibly with both hands against lthe saine leveling and packing the filler into the :iid shoe ,bottom cavity.

' to the bottom-cavity of a shoe, and controlling means for. regulating the amount of filler delivered, said controlling means bemg arranged to be operated by the'f'oot of vthe operator leaving bothA 'hands free to manage the shoe, and bottom laying means adjacent the delivery portion yof the machine in position to permit the operator to press the shoe forcibly with both hands against fthe same for leveling and packing the filler into the cavity of the shoe-bottom.

13. A machine for filling the cavity of a shoe-bottom, :comprising a source of filler 4 supply, and means for causing, vsaidfiller to flovv 1n a continuous stream, including an endless passageway for the flow of the filler, adelivery orifice leading from said passage- Way, means for controlling said delivery orifice, and a valve for controlling said passageway, said orifice-controlling means and said valve being constructed `and arranged to close said orifice by the opening of said passageway and vice versa.

y 414a A machine for filling'the bottom-cavity of a shoe, comprising a. chamber fo.1 mixed filler `of a sluggish coherent nature containing chunks of granular solid material stuck together with a binder, meansfor mechanically rendering said filler fluid, and delivering means cooperating Withv said first mentioned means and constructed and arranged for instantaneousl opening and instantaneous closing and under' the control of the operator, to deliver the cold filler in a thin layer.

15. A- machine for ity of a shpe, comprising means forhandling shoe-bottom filler material containing chunks-of granular solid material stuck toether with a binder and for delivering said ller material into a shoe-bottom, foot-operated means under the control of' the operator` capable of instantly opening and instantly closing for regulating the amount 'of Afiller so delivered according to the varying requirements of successive shoes, and laying means adjacent the vdelivery portion of the machine for leveling and pressing the delivered filler into thelshoe-bottom.'

16. A machine for filling the bottom-cavity of a shoe, comprising means for handling shoe-bottom filler material containing chunks ofgranular solid material stuck together with abinder and for delivering said filler material into a shoe-bottom, foot-opl-l erated means under the control 'of the operator capable of instantly opening and instantly closing for regulating the amount of filler so delivered according to the varying requirements of successive shoes, and cold laying means adjacent the delivery portion f the machine-1n the normal path of the j `Shoetq or froml said-delivering means for filling the lm-)ttom-cav-A leveling and pressing the delivered filler into the shoe-bottom.'

17. A Vmachine for filling the bottom-cavities of shoes, comprising means for supporting a filler loaf, means for tearing away and disintegrating one end of said loaf, .means for receiving the disintegrated filler and' forcing the same forward under slipping pressure for frictionally fiuidifyii'ig the filler, -means under the control of' the 'op-- erator for delivering the filler into a slice-- bottom cavity, and means for leveling and packing the filler into finished shape in the cavity. A j

,18, A machine for filling ,the bottom ,cavities of shoes, comprising a filler supply chamber having a delivery passage at its lower end provided vvith delivery orifice, means for opening and closing such orifice, mechanism acting in conjunction ivith a portion of the walls of such'filler supply chamber to fluidify the filler, a by-'pass leading from said delivery passage adjacent s u'ci orifice baciato said filler supply chamber, said mechanism including means for continuously moving filler-'through part of said filler supply chamber and said delivery passage, and means for dellecting the filler in the delivery passage to the delivery orifice aloneor to the delivery orifice and such bypass.

19. A machine for filling the cavity of a shoe bottom, comprising a filler chambery having an orifice at its bottom end, means adapted to feed filler material containing chunks of grani'ilar solid material stuck together with a cemen'titious binder and for maintaining the filler under continuous pressure adjacent said orifice irrespective of whether the latter. is closed or open and in a direction-towar`d said orifice, means cooperating with said pressure-maintaining moans to permit the filler'adjacent said orifice to keep normally under movement away from said orifice when the latter is closed, and means capable offinstantly opening and instantly closing said orifice for regulating the amount of filler delivered into the shoe bottom according to the varying requirements of successive shoes.

20. A machine for filling the cavity of a shoe bottom, comprising filler chamberI having an orifice at its bottom end, means 'adapted to feed filler material containing leo permitting the deflection of at least a por tion of the said moving filler through said orifice into the shoe bottom according to the requirements of the latter.

21. A. machine for filling the cavity of a shoe-bcttom, comprising a filler chamber having an orifice at its bottom end, mechanism for maintaining ,the fillervfluid and under continuous andapproximately uniform vpressure adjacent said orifice and in a di'- yfiller supplyfchamber having a"del1very"or1 rection toward'said orifice, including coperating means for permitting the filler ad-V jacentsaid orifice to maintain normally a movement transversely of said orifice when the, latter is closed, and manually controlled means for opening said orifice and instantaneou'sly diverting the fiow of the'filler into the cavity of a shoe.

22. A machine for filling the cavity of a shoe-bottom Vcomprising a filler chamber, for mixed filler of a sluggish, sticky, coherent nature containing chunksvof granular solid lmaterial stuck together with a binder, having a delivery orifice adjacent its bottom,

means for opening and closing said orifice and thereby controlling the delivery of filler from lsaid orificeto the shoeb0ttom cavity, and

means, including continuously opera-ting power mechanism, to'keep said filler in said chamber under continuous movement and substantially' uniform pressure toward said orifice when'the latter is closed and also when it is open, vthe aforesaid 'parts being constructed and arranged to force the filler from said delivery orifice in a thin ribbon` like layer adapted-in thickness to the depth of said. cavity. 1

v23. In a machine of the kind described, a receptacle for mixed filler of a sluggish, sticky, coherent nature, having an orifice, means coperating with'said receptacle and orifice for delivering the required amount of said filler `through said orifice into a shoebottom, means for unifyingand leveling the depositedV fillerj lin said shoe-bottom, and

mechanism for .giving said unifying and`leveling means a toeward movement when said shoe-bottom is in operative relation to said unifying and leveling means. g

24. Ina machine of the kind described, a filler supply chamber.V having an orice adjacent its bottom, means for opening and closing saidorifice, a screw propeller located adjacent said orifice and adapted to operate ,continuously for forcing the filler toward said orifice, having a lower pitch of the screw adjacent the orifice than farther back on the screw, whereby the speed of movement ofthe filler is varied as it moves to ward the orifice, and means permitting the return flow 'of said filler in a different path y i when the jorifice ris closed fand' while thej propeller still cntinue's said forciig'mbvenfent.

25. vIn a machnefofitheikind describedgfa filler supply chamber having a delivery/Iorifice,` aii'df marfu'ally j gverned instant-delivvery mdClm'Sm for "deliv'eringl filler" 'at `lthe will of the operator andii'iiIepelfde'ntlyofaid` from the shoel into af'shoe-bottoml whenfgt'lie latter is yin operative relation to saidorifie.

26. In'v a machine of lthek-ind described,`-ar` fice, means for'opening and closing thev orifice, and'coperating mechanism for forcing a required amount' offiller from theforice into a shcebottom, the aforesaidv means and mechanism beingy combined and controlled to cooperate to permit said forcible-delivery ofthe filler atthe will ofthe Ioperator and independently 'of'the aidl of the shoe.

- 27. Ina machineofjthe,'kindfdescribech filler supply chamber having a delivery oggifice, means forfjopenmg :and closing.v the-gorifce, cooperating mechanism'forforcmgfa 'required amount of 'filleihfroii" theorifice' into a shoe bottom, the aforesaid'means *andi mechanism being combined and controlled Jto cooperate to permit said forcible deliveryof the filler at the will of thebprtorfndiw:u 'd epelflntly Tf the aid of the `sho"""' nda unifying and compacting member located f adjacent said orifice imposition" 'to"-l'ay` the filler with required compactness and position in the shoe-bottom.

desired 28. In a machine of the kind-dei-scribed,"t a

filler supply chamber having a delivery ori-` f fice, combined with continuously operating power mechanism, ,and manual means cop.-

erating with said pl'wei? mech'a'nism` infile-Vf' and controlled to'coperate to permit said' forcible delivery of the filler. at the Iwill fof the operator with substantially uniform pressure for successive shoes` V`4nd"'iril'e''pendently of the aid of the shoe. *l

In testimony whereof I have 'signed my name to thisv specification in the presence of two .subscribing witnesses.

ANDREW THOMA.

v Witnesses:

Grno.4 H. MAXWELL, JAMES A, HoDDER. 

